Ixekizumab vs. Etanercept for Psoriasis Symptom Improvements

HealthDay News — For patients with psoriasis, ixekizumab is associated with significant improvements in psoriasis symptoms, with itch severity improvements seen as early as week one, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology.

Alexandra B. Kimball, MD, MPH, from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and colleagues evaluated improvements in itch severity, skin pain, and bothersomeness of skin appearance caused by psoriasis in patients receiving either ixekizumab, etanercept, or placebo as part of three 12-week phase III clinical trials.

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The researchers observed statistically significant improvements in itch severity, reduction in skin pain, and degree of bothersomeness for patients who received ixekizumab, compared with those receiving etanercept or placebo. As early as week one, clinically meaningful improvements in itch severity were noted.

"After treatment with ixekizumab, patients reported fast, significant, and clinically meaningful improvements in itch severity and other psoriasis-related symptoms such as skin pain and skin appearance bothersomeness," the authors write.

Several authors are employees of Eli Lilly, which manufactures ixekizumab and funded the study.